Starting up and growing your business
If you are starting up in business, there's lots of help and support available.
National support
- GOV.UK - help and advice on starting and growing your business
- HMRC - help and support if you are self-employed
Support for you if you're starting a business in Lancashire
High growth start-ups
You could receive support from the Boost Lancashire Flying Start Programme if your business:
- is under 3 years old, or hasn't yet started to trade
- is ambitious
- has potential for growth
Non-high growth start-ups
Up to 12 hours of support for new and pre-start up businesses is available from the Selnet Drive Programme.
Aged 18 to 30 and starting a business
You could get help from the Princes Trust
Unemployed and getting benefits from the Job Centre
You can ask your Job Centre work coach about support for becoming self-employed.
University graduates who want to start a business
Many universities have services to support graduates setting up in business. Speak to your university careers or business support service.
Franchise your business
If you are thinking of franchising your business, the Business Clinic in Preston may be able to support you.
Starting a business from home
If you want to start a business from home, there are several things you will need to consider, such as whether you need to tell the Council, register for Business Rates, or need planning permission or a special licence.
- There is lots of good advice about starting a business from home on the GOV.UK website
- You can check with the planning department to see if you need planning permission
- The Planning Portal also has advice about setting up a business at home. They also have advice about lawful development for any building you want to use
- You can check our Licensing pages to see if you might need a licence for your home business
Finance for start-up businesses
You can get financial help for your start-up business from the Government backed Start Up Loan Scheme. Each Director can borrow up to £25,000, to a maximum of £100,000. There are local advisors for the scheme in Lancashire that you can speak to here:
- Hyndburn Enterprise Trust - email jo.hyndburnenterprisetrust@gmail.com or phone 01254 600625
- Lancashire Community Finance - email adamwadie@lancashirecommunityfinance.co.uk or phone 01772 205032
Free business resources
There are some good free resources available if you are starting a business.
- The British Business Bank has lots of different business planning templates
- The Princes Trust has top tips, advice and templates
- The GOV.UK website also has help and advice for putting a business plan together
Other resources for start-up businesses
- Virgin Start Up can help you start, fund and scale your new business
- Start Up Donut has information and advice to help new businesses succeed
- NimbleFins has advice about small business insurance
Trade Bodies
There are many benefits to be had from joining a membership trade body. Two of the main ones are the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses. They can help you with:
- legal advice
- HR advice
- HMRC Tax Support
- Chip and Pin facilities at discounted rates
- letter templates for various topics
- support and networking
Growing your business
When you're ready to grow your business, you can get free support through a range of support programmes.
Contact Boost Lancashire - they are the business growth hub for the county and can offer support and advice.
University Support
There's a range of support available for your business from the University of Central Lancashire, Lancaster University, and Edge Hill University.
Tourism and Leisure Businesses
If you have a tourism or leisure business, and want to reach lancashire's 67 million visitors, why not consider a Visit Lancashire Partnership?